Case Studies

Stadium upgrade

by Mark Rowe

The Stadium of Light in Sunderland has updated its CCTV. The Panomera multifocal sensor product from Dallmeier has also been installed.

The home stadium of the Premier League club Sunderland AFC has a capacity of about 49,000 spectators and was built in 1997. Dallmeier was responsible for an upgrade of the video surveillance system at the stadium originally installed in 1997. The modernisation brought high definition for coverage inside the ground to improve image quality, especially in the away fans section.

It became apparent quite quickly that modernisation of the control room equipment was paramount. Dallmeier, in consultation with the club and their installer ABCA, designed a video management system that uses a virtual matrix, a network based technology known as SeMSy (Security Management System). Pictured left to right are: Paul Weir (Security Manager at Sunderland AFC), Ross Paterson (Sales Manager ABCA) and James Walker (Managing Director Dallmeier UK).

According to the firms SeMSy proved more flexible and expandable than the analogue switching matrix – and it could manage video from high definition and megapixel cameras. SeMSy enables multiple workstations to sit anywhere on the video management network and is not limited by physical ports for expansion.

The virtual matrix enables the creation of flexible monitor walls for displaying cameras in a variety of formats and lets users control how they configure their screens and access privileges for remote and ancillary users.

SeMSy with Dallmeier encoders and video appliances, allowed the 96 analogue cameras installed at the stadium to be updated, whilst also giving the control room an up-to-date platform. This gives the options of replacing analogue cameras and introducing new IP-HD technology.

Peter Weymes, Facilities Manager at Sunderland AFC, said: “The SeMSy management system coupled with Dallmeier recorders gave us a very flexible solution. It allowed the existing analogue cameras and a few new IP-HD cameras in strategic positions to come together easily and provided a platform allowing us to add new technology as and when required.”

At the same time the club sought to answer the problem of pyrotechnic flares and smoke bombs, plus other anti-social behavioural. Dallmeier’s Panomera product was trialled specifically for the away fans section of the stadium.

Peter Weymes says: “After trying and comparing a number of manufacturers’ video surveillance technologies, Panomera multifocal sensor technology proved there was no other technology on the market that could compare to its image quality or ease of use. Panomera with multiple sensors giving a wide area of view while just requiring a single point of installation is unique, and offers a very cost effective installation.”

The new Panomera proved its worth within a few weeks of its installation, as Sunderland AFC hosted Leeds United in the FA Cup. A smoke grenade was set off in the visitors’ section of the north stand and using the Panomera system, police and club security staff were quickly able to identify the offender and an arrest was made. The individual pleaded guilty and was given a three-year football banning order.

Paul Weir, Security Manager at Sunderland AFC, says: “The Dallmeier Panomera gives us the bonus of being able to rewind incidents to their origin whilst zooming in to identify offenders, without having to stop the viewing and recording in live time. This enables quick and effective results. I have been very impressed with the recent CCTV upgrade process from installation, to training and to actual operational use. Longer term, supporters will become aware of the capabilities and power of the Panomera. Those who, for example, may have previously thrown missiles or set off pyrotechnics will be dissuaded from doing so because of the capability of this system. This ultimately proves that the multi-focal sensor technology plays a major role in relation to improving spectator safety management at the Stadium of Light.”

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